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Best Equestrian Camping near Bonne Terre, MO

298 Reviews

St. Francois State Park Campground offers trail access for horseback riding enthusiasts near Bonne Terre, Missouri. While the campground itself does not have dedicated horse corrals according to the available data, it connects to an equestrian area with trails suitable for riders. The park provides electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities for campers. Both tent and RV camping options are available with drive-in and walk-in access. The campground accommodates various camping styles including tent, RV, and glamping setups. The sites are generally well-maintained with grassy areas and shade trees, though some campers note they can feel somewhat close together during busy periods.

Located about an hour south of St. Louis, the park features multiple hiking trails that connect to bridle paths in the equestrian section. The Big River runs through the park, providing water access for horses at designated points. Campers bringing horses should check in advance about trailer parking and specific equestrian rules, as the equestrian area is separate from the main campground. The park maintains several trails suitable for horseback riding with varying terrain through wooded areas and along riverside paths. The campground remains open year-round, making it accessible for equestrian camping in different seasons. Sites with appropriate space for horse trailers can fill quickly during peak season, especially on weekends when local events might be taking place at nearby venues.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Bonne Terre, Missouri (20)

    1. St. Francois State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Bonne Terre, MO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 358-2173

    "Saint Francois is a tent and rv campground just 1 hour south of saint louis, MO in Bonne Terre. It also along a river which allows swimming at your own risk because there is no real entrance site."

    "Not a huge campground but, Its a really simple beautiful place to enjoy Missouri's rolling hills. It is located 1 hour from St. Louis and 30 ish min from Elephant Rock State park."

    2. St. Joe State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Park Hills, MO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 431-1069

    "So, as one of Missouri’s atv parks, this can be a load one. But, you can camp at campground 2, and you’re dealing with a MUCH more classic camping scenario."

    "A great spot with a minute walk to a very well kept shower house and bathroom. We really liked this spot at CG#1."

    3. Cherokee Landing

    3 Reviews
    Bonne Terre, MO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 358-2805

    $25 - $36 / night

    "We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access. You can rent a cart to go running around the huge campground. Very friendly staff."

    4. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

    56 Reviews
    Black, MO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 546-2450

    $11 - $32 / night

    "Johnson Shut-Ins State Park is located on the Black River in Missouri, just south of St. Louis. This makes it a popular location on hot summer days, especially weekends."

    "It is located on the Black River, and the water flowing through the shut-ins is crystal clear and cool."

    5. Berryman Trail & Campgrounds - Mark Twain National Forest

    16 Reviews
    Davisville, MO
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 438-5427

    "It's remote and off the beaten path. A small campground with only 8 spots, some big enough for RVs. No hook ups or water. Pack it in and pack it out. Each site had enough space from each other."

    "Pavillion, parking and horse tie out area adjacent trailhead. Excellent place to bring the kids if you want to unplug them from the media world. Trails and bugs and things that go bump in the night."

    6. Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Patterson, MO
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 856-4411

    "We enjoyed our 1.5 mile hike to get to the river access to float. We brought our own flotation devices and really enjoyed every aspect of the seclusion."

    "There are 2 huge campgrounds (around 100 sites each!) and a nice paved bike path connecting them."

    7. St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA

    30 Reviews
    Eureka, MO
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 257-3018

    "Our site was gravel to park on with grass around it. Close to train tracks and highway, but didn’t notice with AC on in the camper. Close to 6 flags."

    "This campground is fairly close to downtown and very close to lots of shopping. A great place to stay to stock up on supplies before heading west."

    8. Brazil Creek Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Potosi, MO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "Miles and miles of trails for Mountain Biking, horse riding or just hiking, and you can ride your ATV on the roads but you need an orange triangle."

    "Good access to the Berryman Trail. There is a creek running along the camping area with a road along the opposite side. Park for the day or camp overnight to get an early start."

    9. Brazil Creek

    5 Reviews
    Potosi, MO
    27 miles
    Website

    "This camp site is along the berryman trail so you can stay here if youre backpacking said trail."

    "Primitive horse sites in your own little haven in the woods. Have an actual map handy and make any calls before you get here because your phone will do you no good."

    10. Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort

    21 Reviews
    Leasburg, MO
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 245-6837

    "Positives: quiet time starting at 11:00 pm, we didn’t hear cursing, loud music, or anything else that disturbs little ones once they go to sleep, close to the river, clean restroom and shower house, shaded"

    "They have a family section if you prefer to be away from the louder bunch."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Bonne Terre, MO

8 Photos of 20 Bonne Terre Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Bonne Terre, MO

298 Reviews of 20 Bonne Terre Campgrounds

  • Cody S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2025

    St. Francois State Park Campground

    Loud and Crowded Camping

    The campground has oddly shaped campsites causing a crowded feel.  The campground is also loud on the weekends especially if there are races at the nearby Bonne Terre drag strip.

  • April D.
    May. 27, 2019

    St. Francois State Park Campground

    Go-to Campsite

    Saint Francois is a tent and rv campground just 1 hour south of saint louis, MO in Bonne Terre. It also along a river which allows swimming at your own risk because there is no real entrance site. But plenty of gravel bars. I personally enjoy this park and its sites. The rvs and tents are separated which i love. And the tent sites have plenty of room for 2-3 tents plus games. They provide individual showers, out houses every 6 sites, flat areas for tents, ice, wood, and activities. Trails, parks, and lots of fields to play in.The only downfalls are (1) entering the park. You enter on a dangerous highway where you need plenty of room and stopping to enter but there is none. Getting out is the worst especially if you have a trailor and move slow. There is no lane for you to pull out. Cars are fine. (2) the river is monopolized by 1 company for rafting/kayaking/canoing. You have to make an appointment, they only accept cash, and the websites dont show correct equipment. But it gets the job done.

  • iloveitontop R.
    Sep. 13, 2016

    St. Joe State Park Campground

    Great place if you are boating or ORV.

    Nice park with a large camp sites with premiere off-road vehicle area. The park also features four lakes, two swimming beaches, equestrian trails, a hiking and bicycling trail and picnic sites, as well as two campgrounds capable of accommodating campers with ORV or horse trailers.

  • Matt S.
    Sep. 3, 2016

    St. Francois State Park Campground

    St. Francois SP is Fair to Average.

    This campground was packed, but it started off on the wrong foot. The entrance comes up quick and is right off a state highway with traffic moving between 65-80 mph so of course I passed the entrance and had to double back.

    When I pulled into the park there was bunch of construction. There were a few trails but honestly it really seemed like an RV park with very few tents. The showers and bathrooms were clean but there were too many people, it was very crowded.

    I should add as a positive that here were equestrian trails and a large parking lot to park your horse trailer.

    St. Francois State Park is close to St. Louis so it is probably a popular destination, it just didn't feel like camping. I'm sure it will improve a little when the construction is completed, but I doubt it will be above three stars.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2017

    Greensfelder County Park

    Ranger Review: Greensfelder County Park Camping

    Campground Review: This is a nice little hidden gem outside St Louis in a great county park. If you are a Six Flags kinda person, the amusement park sits at the southern entrance to Greensfelder. The park itself has some great hiking and biking trails, but the big draw is equestrian in nature (including eventing jumps along some of the trails). This campground caters to the horse-set, with more campsites attached to the equestrian park than not, which means you should make reservations in advance as it is a busy little campground. The equestrian camping area has a standing stall type open barn, a round pen for turn out, and large campsites designed for horse trailers. All of the sites with electric are meant for horse trailers as there are no amenities for RV's. The showers and toilets are in the horse camping portion of the campground. The non-horse camping area seemed to be an afterthought, and is along side a park artery leading to a boarding barn and more trails. I did like that there were two trail heads on opposite sides of the camping lot, and the trails were well marked. Expect this campground area to be busy as it is the staging area for equestrians who use the park.

    Product Review: In July I won some gear from Primus for reviewing some campgrounds I visited earlier this summer. This was the first opportunity I had to try out my Primus Profile Camp Stove. This is a nice car camping stove; at eleven pounds, it isn't something to carry far. Things I liked about it include the wind guards, the latching lid, and the fairly thin profile when collapsed. For a two burner stove, it really didn't take up much room in my trunk and it is sturdy enough that I wasn't worried about piling gear on top of it. However, while new out of the box, the igniter didn't work. Glad I always pack a lighter. It's not going to boil water in record time, but certainly held a steady flame and was easy to adjust. I have other stoves, but this one seems like it will be my go to when car camping with friends as I can cook more on two burners than one. https://primus.us/collections/camping-stoves

  • Lindsey C.
    Aug. 10, 2020

    Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    Fun Campground

    We enjoyed our 1.5 mile hike to get to the river access to float. We brought our own flotation devices and really enjoyed every aspect of the seclusion. They have equestrian trails as well and we got to see horses while floating too. The water was crystal clear and we even found quartz in some rocks in the water.

  • Grant M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2021

    St. Joe State Park Campground

    Good for ATV’s, also good for horses and people.

    So, as one of Missouri’s atv parks, this can be a load one. But, you can camp at campground 2, and you’re dealing with a MUCH more classic camping scenario. The park is big enough you don’t hear the small engine vehicles over here.

    The campground 2 sites are set up for horses, something I know almost nothing about, but they make the sites larger to accommodate equestrian needs and that’s nice. Hiking, MTB, and horse trails are separate from the atv trails. There’s even a nice 11 mile long paved trail that has some hills but will work for kids/strollers/etc.

    There are a number of more interesting parks in the area for what I think of as a true camping experience, but this is a good one if you’re also on the pokemon plan (gotta camp ‘em all). If you like atv/utv/dirt bike stuff, man, campground one is for you, and it looks like a blast, read up on the lead mine tailing warnings.

  • Sterling M.
    May. 28, 2019

    Hazel Creek Campground

    Secluded, quiet, and friendly locals

    Enjoyed my stay and hikes on the equestrian trails. At the time no horses were around, only other tent campers, one of which gave me their extra camp wood.

    Hazel creek is a picturesque crystal clear creek that is near the campground, featuring tons of wildlife and peaceful views.

    The campsites are flat and clean gravel fill or dirt, the grass is usually tamed, each with a campfire ring with a grill and a picnic table and lantern pole. Densely wooded, full shade.

    The access road was rough but my wife’s tiny compact car didn’t have any trouble, but I’m sure it’s a mess when wet.

  • Matthew H.
    Mar. 6, 2021

    Greensfelder County Park

    Rvs and trailers

    Small campground ground ram by saint louis county parks. We were the only ones here. Heavy equestrian park, it’s not required (to have a horse) to stay here. A few piles of horses droppings but very well maintained. We stay about 30 feet to the right of the horse pin, and behind it where they dump the horse stuff really can’t smell anything. Only sites 20-29 have electric and 28 can’t be reserved. Pro -Most sites are great for trailers 26’ or less and 1 slide (sites 24-26 can fit a fifth wheel probably no bigger than 36-38 ft) -2-20 amp plugs and 1-30amp plug -Not to many trees hanging over your camper that would drop branches -site 29 where we stayed can fit a 40’ fifth wheel -a lot of room to back in -showers and restrooms year around -frost free water at both ends of the campground -usual fire pit, picnic table and grill -park campers on grass to be closer to one side or another of your site -sites are reservable

    Cons -no water at sites -no 50 amps -no dump but KOA and RV dealer 5-7 mins away

    -site 29 only have 2-20 amp plugs no 30 didn’t realized till we parked. Only this one doesn’t have 30 -horses traffic on Saturday eventually from what the ranger told me once Covid is better -most sites back up to main road(mostly light traffic and none at night)

Guide to Bonne Terre

Horse camping in Missouri offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds equipped with essential amenities and scenic trails, horse enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Equestrian campgrounds include scenic trails

  • The St. Joe State Park Campground provides access to over 2,000 acres of land, ideal for horseback riding and exploring nature.
  • Hazel Creek Campground is surrounded by picturesque trails, allowing riders to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Missouri wilderness.
  • Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park features trails that are perfect for horseback riding, along with stunning views of the shut-ins and surrounding landscapes.

Tips for equestrian camping near Bonne Terre, Missouri

  • When visiting the Cherokee Landing, be sure to bring your own water for your horse, as the campground does not provide drinking water at the sites.
  • At Blue Spring Ranch, take advantage of the nearby Meramec River for a refreshing break after a long ride.
  • Make reservations early at Bass' River Resort during peak seasons to secure a spot that accommodates both you and your horse comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bonne Terre, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bonne Terre, MO is St. Francois State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 28 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bonne Terre, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Bonne Terre, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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